TRAINING and CREDIBILITY
 
Santa Bob Elkin has been entertaining children and collecting smiles since 1983, starting his career as “Waki the Wizard” an award winning Shrine Clown, with over 45 awards for costume, make up, skits and balloon sculpturing. Bob is still an active member of the Egypt Shrine Center Clown Unit. Bob started his professional training in the early 90’s at the University of Wisconsin Clown College at LaCrosse attending for 3 years. SANTA Bob started his Santa career in 1993, performing for his granddaughters day-care school, and has been entertaining and collecting smiles as Santa since.

In August 2005 Santa Bob completed the International University of Santa Claus school and has received a Master of Santa Claus Degree. Bob was one of only a few Santas from Florida to attend the first ever International convention held in July 2006 in Branson Missouri. The Convention had over 520 Santas, Mrs Claus, and elves registered,  presented 27 workshops on everything from the History of Santa, Santa Ethics, Malls & Marketing, Storytelling plus a Keynote address from Chris Byrne, the TOY GUY with all the new toys for ’06.

In May of 2005, Santa Bob became a volunteer for SANTA-AMERICA, the national organization with the mission of providing Santa visits all 365 days a year to children and families in Hospice care, children with chronic pediatric illnesses, children suffering from post-traumatic stress, children and families with the Wounded Warrior Batttalions, and Children suffering with Autism. Bob completed the necessary volunteer training with LifePath Hospice in September 2005. Santa Bob was appointed as a member of the Santa-America Board of Advisers in 2007. Please visit Santa-America.org  to learn more, we hope you will consider a donation.

Santa Bob is very proud to serve on the board as a Chairman for the Celebrate Santa Festival, held each March in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. You can learn more about this exciting event by visiting  www.celebratesanta.com and  celebratesanta.blogspot.com.

Santa Bob also serves as the Chairman for the Palm Tree Santa's, a group of jolly gentleman with vacation residences in Florida. www.palmtreesantas.com

Santa Bob is covered by a $3,000,000 liability insurance policy, a Certificate of Insurance is available upon request. Santa Bob is also covered by a clear Criminal Background Check, from the State of Florida, again a copy of same is available on request. Bob Elkin served for eight years as the volunteer Chairman for Shriners Hospitals For Children, for the Egypt Shrine Center jurisdiction of seven West Central Florida counties.

Bob Elkin has lived in the Tampa Bay area since 1971, is married to Jody, has four children, 6 grandchildren and two great grandsons! 

              Additional references are available on request.